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Sobering: Lessons Learnt the Hard Way on Drinking, Thinking and Quitting
A RAW, FUNNY, HELPING HAND OF A BOOK, BY THE CO-PRESENTER OF BBC RADIO 5 LIVE'S PODCAST THE UNEXPECTED ADDICTS.
'Unique, honest, witty, occasionally shocking, you need this uplifting, amazing book in your life.' Steve Bland, You, Me and the Big C
'I don't know if I was born with it, caught it or bought it; I just know that, at some point in my life, a line was I needed a drink to get through life, to calm the nerves and quiet the head, and I became reliant on alcohol to change how I felt.'
Sobering is the story of an insecure teenager turned Liverpudlian party girl, schoolteacher turned alcoholic and now recovering alcoholic turned award-winning podcaster. Melissa's story is as dramatic as her unique voice, but her message is mental health issues often drive vulnerable people to addiction and working on mental health and personal development can help recovery.
Written with the expert help of rehab and addiction specialists, and with insights from other recovering alcoholics and addicts, Sobering covers everything from denial, isolation and shame to getting help and rebuilding relationships.
This is a personal story with a to help anyone worried about their drinking to understand themselves and move forward with wisdom to make that hardest decision of all – to stay sober.
'Melissa's unique combination of authenticity, personal experience and humour makes for an incredibly refreshing take on addiction and recovery. A much-needed book that will help individuals to find hope and society to rethink substance misuse.' Shahroo Izadi, author of The Kindness Method
'Unique, honest, witty, occasionally shocking, you need this uplifting, amazing book in your life.' Steve Bland, You, Me and the Big C
'I don't know if I was born with it, caught it or bought it; I just know that, at some point in my life, a line was I needed a drink to get through life, to calm the nerves and quiet the head, and I became reliant on alcohol to change how I felt.'
Sobering is the story of an insecure teenager turned Liverpudlian party girl, schoolteacher turned alcoholic and now recovering alcoholic turned award-winning podcaster. Melissa's story is as dramatic as her unique voice, but her message is mental health issues often drive vulnerable people to addiction and working on mental health and personal development can help recovery.
Written with the expert help of rehab and addiction specialists, and with insights from other recovering alcoholics and addicts, Sobering covers everything from denial, isolation and shame to getting help and rebuilding relationships.
This is a personal story with a to help anyone worried about their drinking to understand themselves and move forward with wisdom to make that hardest decision of all – to stay sober.
'Melissa's unique combination of authenticity, personal experience and humour makes for an incredibly refreshing take on addiction and recovery. A much-needed book that will help individuals to find hope and society to rethink substance misuse.' Shahroo Izadi, author of The Kindness Method
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 20, 2022
This book was amazing. I feel like it was written just for me. I could relate to so much of it. I read it at the perfect time as this has been the hardest few weeks in my recovery. I was so thankful to have this book to turn to. She was brutally honest about what it looks like and how to put yourself first.
September 2, 2021
I bought this book on a whim after seeing it on the Feminist Bookshop Brighton’s website, missing the chance to shop in Bton’s independents!
I’m so pleased that I bought this treasure! Not only have I discovered an absolute pearl that I see myself recommending to patients and their families, I’ve found the soulful and wholesome Hooked podcast too, of which I still have 18 episodes left to enjoy.
It moves me to have read about and listened to Melissa’s experiences and to know about the incredible work she is now doing with her reflections and the way these experiences have affected her. She has well and truly bared her soul to her audience, and courageously taken us to the dark corners, and taught that not only can she bear to be there and capably survive, she aims to teach others that they too can do the same with their hard feelings, painful experiences, their guilt and shame.
I’m so pleased that I bought this treasure! Not only have I discovered an absolute pearl that I see myself recommending to patients and their families, I’ve found the soulful and wholesome Hooked podcast too, of which I still have 18 episodes left to enjoy.
It moves me to have read about and listened to Melissa’s experiences and to know about the incredible work she is now doing with her reflections and the way these experiences have affected her. She has well and truly bared her soul to her audience, and courageously taken us to the dark corners, and taught that not only can she bear to be there and capably survive, she aims to teach others that they too can do the same with their hard feelings, painful experiences, their guilt and shame.
February 18, 2022
What a fantastic book. Melissa tells the harrowing story of the traumas in her life and her spiral into addiction. Yet, she somehow manages to inject humour into her writing.
I truly hope she keeps writing - I'll keep reading for sure!
I truly hope she keeps writing - I'll keep reading for sure!
December 29, 2021
Pretty good but not my favorite quit lit.
November 7, 2023
Authentic, honest account of alcoholism. Melissa book is inspiring. Her mum and family must be so proud of her, they have their Melissa back. ❤️
December 31, 2023
Such a good book - worth reading at any point of your life
January 29, 2024
A really excellent account of addiction - thank you for sharing your story ❤️
October 23, 2024
Great book, emotional read at times. Loved listening to the authors journey
October 13, 2025
Hilarious, honest.
September 4, 2021
Super honest memoir and reflections on alcoholism and recovery. I have not listened to the podcast (but I will now!) but I loved Melissa’s story - it was raw, it was real, it was emotional, it was authentic. I’m so glad to have read this book and so proud of how far she has come even though I don’t know her!
January 11, 2024
Lots of helpful advice and the author was down-to-earth and funny.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews